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 Commander's
Corner
Dave Rice
Changes and progress continues at your
American Legion Post and Club. Bob Jacobson is our new Adjutant, relieving
Orlyen Stensgard who did an outstanding job for us. Congratulations to Bob
Jacobson on being selected as our Post Legionnaire of the Year! Our
2006-2007 nominating committee is hard at work and looking for your input.
Additional information on these items is included in this newsletter.
We submitted a bid to host the 2010
Department Convention and were successful in that effort. Fargo was
already scheduled to host the 2007 convention. The FM Convention and
Visitor’s Bureau did an outstanding job preparing and delivering our bid
proposal.
We are accepting bids for the use of
our kitchen facilities. Please let us know if you have any suggestions or
know of someone who might want to provide food service operations at our
post. The Lighthouse Café, which operated here the last three years, moved
out the end of January. We thank them for the service they provided and
wish them good luck in the future.
A tough job ahead of us is the analysis
of our financial situation and planning for the future. We will be
presenting this analysis at the April Post meeting. We need to determine
if we will be financially solvent in the future and how we will pay off
our mortgage loan. We encourage you to attend this financial update and
hear what our options for the future may be.
Life is short. My wife Rita, to whom I
have been married for over 30 years, recently passed away, and I miss her
dearly. My advice to you is to put this newsletter down, give your spouse
and kids a big hug and tell them you love them. You can finish reading
this newsletter later.
Dave Rice,
Commander, Fargo American Legion
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 Auxiliary President's Message
Barb Nash
Greetings – I hope all is well for everyone and you
are biding your time through winter in anticipation of spring like I am.
Join us on March 14th for our meeting. I hope to have a
speaker from the American Cancer Society – I am still finalizing this at
the print deadline. This is certainly a horrible disease that has touched
us all in some shape or form. Our speaker on April 11th will hi-light our
Children & Youth program. Vetta is sure to have an informative program
that evening.
At our meeting on April 11th, we will be honoring
our 50-year members. We will have a potluck supper at 6:00 and will hold
our meeting at 7:30. Please plan to attend to show your support for some
ladies who have certainly devoted many hours to the Organization. It is my
sincere hope that the 50-year members will not be the ones bringing food
for the potluck, but I do have my doubts as to some of them… As always,
help is appreciated for set-up and clean-up. Please call me at 298-0916 if
you want to help with this event. There truly is nothing like a good old
potluck to kick everybody into spring. The
style show has been scheduled for April 22nd at 1:00. Mavis Goodroad is in
charge this year. Please contact her at 232-9356 if you are willing to
help with this project. As someone who has headed this up in the past, I
know any and all help is much welcomed and appreciated.
To those of you who do not have your renewal in, please
consider doing so now. Your dues help support our Veteran and Children &
Youth programs. Without them, we are unable to fully fund our programs. At
the time of printing, we are down about 100 renewals.
I was given some websites through a mailing from the
Department office you might find interesting:
www.opgratitutde.com
www.operationtopknow.4t.com
www.coolourtroops.com
www.treatthetroops.com
www.soldiers4soldiers.com
and www.ourmilitarykids.org
If you would like to take one of these projects on for a future meeting,
please let me know. Barb Nash,
Auxiliary President, Unit #2
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 Message
from the Chef de Gare
Larry Lein
My fellow Voyageurs, here we are looking forward to
spring and with that getting our membership up to 100 plus percent. If you
haven't renewed your membership please do so now. Know of someone who
would like to belong to the 40 & 8, sign them up. Let's see our numbers
grow. Start planning now for MinnDakota 2006
today. This year it will be in Watertown, SD the weekend of May 5 - 7,
2006. We do have some rooms reserved for Voiture 240 at the Best Western
Ramkota. If you would like a room talk to either Don Schwinden or myself.
We always have a good time at MinnDakota.
Don't forget spaghetti every Monday Night and our Promenade the 4th
Tuesday of the month. Larry Lein,
Chef de Gare 240
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 Adjutants
Additions
Bob Jacobson
The first month as Post Adjutant has been busy,
trying to learn how the job has been done in the past, staying on top of
the current schedules, picking up maintenance problems along the way and
looking to the future.
The Capital Campaign committee is working hard, but
could use a healthy boost. Most of our 1,500 members have not donated yet,
including me, but I’ll try to squeeze out a $100 donation and challenge
all members to do the same. We are trying to upgrade and update OUR
facility to reduce maintenance and operational costs and then go on to
further update the interior.
Now that the kitchen is not in use, I am marking all
utensils and equipment with A L P 2 (American Legion Post 2) and will then
do a thorough inventory to avoid questions of ownership. We are also
noticing some needed repairs that will cost us more money. If we were to
open up the dining facility ourselves, there would be even more expenses
for equipment a tenant would have needed to provide. All in all, this is a
busy place in a busy time.
We need to look to the post, with its vested
interest, to do its part in updating our facility. We try to derive some
income from outside sources, because if it wasn’t for their dollars, it
would have to be that much more from the members. I look forward to doing
what I can for the Post and the club. The Post officers and I, as well as
the Post and club employees look for your cooperation and support as well
as suggestions for improvements. We recognize that this is an American
Legion facility, but also that costs have jumped over the years while the
legion dollars and volunteers have decreased with a decreasing membership.
If you notice any problems with the facility or personnel, please let me
know about it.
Robert (Bob) Jacobson,
Adjutant
Gilbert C. Grafton Post 2 |
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Post #2 Adjutant
The Executive Committee has appointed Bob Jacobson as
our Adjutant. Orlyen Stensgard agreed to fill the position on a temporary
basis after the death of Ralph Hoff but wanted us to search for a
permanent replacement. Bob would like to run for the position at our
scheduled election in May. We thank Orlyen for filling in during a time we
really needed his experience and expertise, he did a great job for us. We
also thank Bob for stepping up to the plate and taking on this important
leadership position. |
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1st District Meeting
Our 1st District Meeting will be at 7:30 pm on March
29th at the Harwood American Legion Post 297. A steak or shrimp ($6.00) or
steak/shrimp combo ($9.00) dinner will be served from 4:30-7:30 pm, RSVP
to dwjwdakota@earthlink.net
or call (701)282-0356. The Red River Valley Veteran’s Concert Band will
perform before the meeting and the Little Red River Dance Band after. |
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Election of 2006-2007 Officers
The Legion’s annual elections are May 2nd for the post
officers and Executive Committee. Please contact a Post Officer or a
member of the nominating committee if you would like to run for an office
or would like to make a nomination. Members of the Nominating Committee
include: Orlyen Stensgard (chair), Cathy Keogh, Mike Borgan, Mitch Olson,
Will Hebert and Dave Lee. Members living outside of the FM area may
request an absentee ballot. A slate of candidates will be announced at the
March post meeting, nominations from the floor will be accepted during
both the March and April Post meetings. For more information you may email
the legion at
veteran18@earthlink.net or go to our website at
http://www.tristateveterans.com/fargolegion or you can call the office
at 701-293-3930.
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Legionnaire of
the Year Congratulations
to Bob Jacobson who was nominated and elected Post #2 Legionnaire of the
Year! Bob’s nomination was forwarded up the chain-of-command and competed
for the Department Legionnaire of the Year. Bob was not selected at the
department level but Commander Rice heard several positive comments about
Bob’s nomination and was encouraged to nominate him again. |
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AMERICAN
LEGION BASEBALL KICKS OFF DRIVE TO 2009 WORLD SERIES
WITH SUCCESSFUL BANQUET; FIVE INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME
Fargo American Legion Post #2 began its drive toward
the 2009 American Legion World Series in early February at the Ramada
Plaza Suites Crystal Ballroom with the first annual Red River Diamond
Classic Baseball Banquet The banquet featured former major league pitching
star BERT BLYLEVEN as the main speaker and included the induction of the
inaugural class of the Fargo American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame class included former major league
home run king ROGER MARIS, current major league pitcher RICK HELLING,
retired long-time Fargo American Legion coach JERRY HARTER, long-time
American Legion baseball chairman and team manager JOE PARMER, and
instrumental American Legion committee-man BOB SMITH. |
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 JOE
PARMER - No one can challenge the claim that Joe Parmer is
Mr. Baseball in Fargo, ND. Parmer has been involved in Fargo American
Legion baseball since 1954. He acted as chair of the Post #2 baseball
program from 1954 until the early 2000s and was the team manager from
1964 until the turn of the century. He has been the co-chairman for
three previous World Series that were held in Fargo (1983, 1992, and
1995) and chairman for numerous Eastern Division and State Tournaments
held in Fargo over the past 50 years...He drove the team bus in the
early years, acted as the public address announcer, and served as the
chief fundraiser for the program for much of the 50 years. Parmer was
inducted into the North Dakota American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame
in 1983. |
 BOB
SMITH - One of the key members in the life of American
Legion baseball in both Fargo and North Dakota for nearly two decades.
He was an organizer in the development of Jack Williams Stadium and
was active from 1965 to 1980 on the Post #2 Baseball Committee. He was
an official scorer at two American Legion World Series. Smith helped
form the North Dakota American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame and was
inducted into that group’s elite membership in 1983. He was
instrumental in the formation of the Maple-Sheyenne League, the Fargo
American Legion Baseball Alumni Association, the Maris Drive and
Memorial at Lindenwood Park, the Roger Maris Museum at West Acres
Shopping Center, and the memorial fountain and flagpoles at Lindenwood
Park. Bob passed away in 1985. |
Baseball information supplied by George
Ellis.
Click here for some additional
information. |
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March
7th, 2006,
Post Meeting Program (7:30 pm)
March 7 – Alex McDonald will give us an
update on the North Dakota Veteran’s Cemetery. |
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April 4th, 2006,
Post Meeting Program (7:30 pm)
April 4 – Post Officers will review our
Club and Post finances, our mortgage loan, capital campaign
and future income/expense projections |
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Snacks
and Happy Hour following meeting in Lounge. |
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American Legion Wrestling April
8th
We have one of the largest, most organized,
finest awarded tournaments in the area with the finest facilities. We
need Legionnaires and guests for assisting in various areas of the
tournament. Please call Orlyen at 293-0303 or Pete at 235-5660 to
volunteer. |
Saint Patrick’s Day
The Legion will be serving Corned Beef and Cabbage
starting at 5 pm on March 17th, for only $6 per person. The Highland
Bagpipers will be coming through to play bagpipes and the Rockin
Sixteez will be playing from 7 pm to 11 pm. |
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Auxiliary Style Show
The American Legion Auxiliary will be having their
annual style show April 22nd at 1:00 pm in the American Legion Patriot
Hall. |
Easter Baskets
Volunteers are needed to help make Easter
Baskets on April 5. We will be putting the baskets together upstairs
in the ballroom. |
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Charity
Donations
January/February 2006
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| VA Volunteer Services |
$ 110.00 |
| Community Service Color Guard |
$ 2,173.25 |
| Disability Access (Elevator Co.) |
$ 137.44 |
| Bike Shop |
$ 668.09 |
| American Legion Baseball |
$ 2,500.00 |
| ROTC |
$ 206.69 |
| Troop Greetings |
$ 330.00 |
| Easter Baskets |
$ 600.00 |
| Wrestling |
$ 2,500.00 |
| Red River Valley Veteran's
Band |
$ 1,050.00 |
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Spaghetti Workers |
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March |
Team |
April |
Team |
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3/06 |
4 |
4/03 |
2 |
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3/13 |
5 |
4/10 |
3 |
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3/20 |
6 |
4/17 |
4 |
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3/27 |
1 |
4/24 |
5 |
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Bingo Workers |
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March |
Team |
April |
Team |
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3/04&06 |
4 |
4/01&03 |
4 |
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3/11&13 |
1 |
4/08&10 |
1 |
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3/18&20 |
2 |
4/15&17 |
2 |
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3/25&27 |
3 |
4/22&24 |
3 |
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4/29&5/01 |
4 |
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Red River Valley Veterans Concert
Band
March 7th – Meeting Night
March 23rd – W. Fargo High Rise and W. Fargo VFW
March 29th – Harwood Legion-1st District Spring MT
April 4th – Meeting Night
April 13th – Wheaton, MN
April 20th – Pelican Rapids, MN
April 27th – Wahpeton, ND
Also see the Red River Valley Veterans Concert Band
schedule on their Web page at:
http://www.rrvvcb.org/
March
and April 2006
Legion Schedule of Events
$25 Blackjack every Friday, Saturday, and Monday
night.
Bingo every Saturday at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm
every Monday.
Spaghetti 6:00pm every Monday for only
$3.00 per person.
Beer Bust 6 to 8 pm. every Friday night.
Karaoke 8 pm. every Friday night.
Mar. 7 Post Meeting 7:30 pm
Mar. 14 Past Commanders Luncheon 11:30 am
Mar. 17 St Patrick's Day Corned Beef & Cabbage
Mar. 27 Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm
Apr. 4 Post Meeting 7:30 pm -w- Auxiliary & SAL
Apr. 11 Past Commanders Luncheon 11:30 am
Apr. 18 Executive Committee Meeting 7 pm |
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Have Your Wedding, Anniversary,
Christmas or Any Party Here
The American Legion has rental space available for a wide variety of events at a very reasonable price.
To Schedule an Event please Contact our Office at 701-293-3930. Click
here for additional information.
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Past Commander Marcus
McDonald
Marcus McDonald passed away on January 9, 2006. He
was a member of the Legion for 54 years and also a member of 40 et 8
Voiture 240. He was the American Legion Boys State Director for ND for 18
years and attended the Boys State sessions for 32 years. He served several
offices in the Legion including Commander and served on the National
Americanism Commission and National Baseball Committee; plus serving on
the Boy’s Nation Staff in Washington DC for 15 years. |
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In Memorium
Past Commander Marcus McDonald,
Stephan Gerrich, Alden Melhus, Kenneth Bissel, Llyal Hanson
Upcoming Veteran's Events
See the TriStateVeterans Calendar
of Events for veteran and military events in the near
future. |
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Fargo American
Legion Website http://www.tristateveterans.com/fargolegion
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The Fargo Legionnaire
Official bi-monthly publication of the Gilbert C. Grafton Post No. 2 The American Legion, 505 3rd Ave N., Fargo, ND 58102.
Commander: Dave Rice
Editor: Bob Jacobson
Club Manager: Mona Arnold
Legionnaire Staff: Boots Anderson, Sarah Kim, Vetta Loveland, Barbara Useldinger
Attention: In accordance with North Dakota Charitable Gaming Regulations, American Legion Club notifies its membership that the organization's cash profit; cash long or short; net proceeds expenses, if any; reimbursement of excess expenses, if applicable; and a list of eligible use contributions is available for review. The information is available at the American Legion Club, 505 3rd Ave N,. Fargo, 8am - 4:30pm, Mon.-Fri. (701)237-4013
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Fargo American Legion Home Page
E-mail: veteran18@earthlink.net
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Go to www.tristateveterans.com Home Page |
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